EC grad served as instrumentalist at Opera Camp in Italy

The monthlong trip was made possible by SEIMA grant

(ST. LEON, Ind.) – A local teen has returned home after spending the past month at an opera academy in Italy. 

19-year-old Ayden Ketchem graduated from East Central in 2024 and currently attends the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). 

Ketchem recently attended the Salusso Opera Academy which is a professional development camp located in a 14th century monastery in the foothills of the Italian Alps. 

He played the bassoon in the orchestra which is an instrument he began playing as a high school freshman. 

“I was self taught all the way up until the summer before my senior year when I started taking private lessons with the Associate Principle Bassoonist of the CSO in order to prepare for college auditions,” Ketchem said. 

During the camp in Italy, he was given the opportunity to play Bassoon 1 in the opera ‘Le Nozze de Figaro’ by Mozart. 

“The very opening line shows up in every audition for bassoon, from principle all the way to contrabassoon auditions,” he said. 

Ayden said he had an incredible time at the camp and was honored to play with some very talented instrumentalists and vocalists. 

“The scenery in this quaint Italian village was amazing. With a constant view of the Alps on the horizon, one wishes they could stay there forever,” he said. 

He admits that there was one challenge to staying at the historic monastery. There was no air conditioning and barely enough fans. 

“I really didn’t want to stay in the small room with 35 people and be uncomfortable the entire time. In the end you get used to the heat and just learn to deal with it,” Ketchem said. 

Ayden’s family arrived toward the end of the camp and watched one of the performances. They were then able to travel around Europe and visited Austria, Germany and France. 

Ketchem was one of two local musicians who received the Southeastern Indiana Musicians Association (SEIMA) grant. earlier this summer. He credits the $1,000 grant for making the trip possible. 

He will soon begin his second year at CCM and his goal is to earn a Doctorate of Musical Arts and hopefully one day play in a large orchestra.

“I would also be happy to get a job as a professor at a good college. In fact, I have already started teaching,” he explained. 

Ketchem added that he offers bassoon lessons at East Central and is offering lessons to anyone who wishes to play the instrument. 

“Bassoon is a challenging instrument with nine keys for one thumb, but ultimately that is what makes playing it amazing,” Ketchem said. 

If you’re interested in taking lessons, you can contact him by email here: aydenketchem@icloud.com